I believe theater is the perfect collaboration. Like minded souls and a few altruistic "outsiders" gather in spirit and practice to produce something that must be shared - something that isn't any good unless it is shared. That, to me, is the essence of the performing arts.
- tony baksa - HTUTS Founder/ Artistic Director
Video may be best viewed "as is" without bringing it to full screen. - t
This video is so awesome, it brought me to tears!
ReplyDeleteIt brought me close to tears just making it, Vicky
DeleteNice job Tony. This video is a treasure for us to savor again and again. My eyes filled with tears as your slide show travelled through those wonderful times yet once again. You shared your love of theater with all of us by bringing your vision of community theater to life here in Hamburg, and we were fortunate to be able to participate in it with you. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your vision. We worked hard, and that effort created a special bond that will remain. Thank you dear friend.
DeleteHey Tony any time you would like to hang your sign in my store is fine with me! Lol.. Keep up the good work!-CRAZY4BOOKZ
DeleteMemories of my Labor Day's weekend for 4 years attending the wonderful productions of HTUTS ...Gene & I will miss it this year. Excellent video!!!
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like participating in community theatre! Our plays the last two summers really were the highlights of those two summers!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone with whom I shared these experiences.
"SHUT UP, YOU!" Best line of 2012
DeleteHow I spent the past four summers
ReplyDeleteSitting here in tears as I watched your video.. WOW!!! Excellent work :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was choked up making it.
DeleteSeriously just showed the boys...amazing...you should have that shown at the next town board meeting! I still am all emotional over it!!!
DeleteThanks again, Now dry your eyes. There's always next summer.
DeleteLol..I know...you did a great job on that. A lot of work! Keep me posted!
DeleteWill do. Hi to Peter & the boys.
DeleteYou are just a peach, truly. Your brilliance is reflected in each snapshot!
ReplyDeleteThe brilliance is the subject - subjects, too
DeleteYou are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteand so are you - thanks for your constant feedback.
DeleteHamburg should be so proud to have you Tony!! All your plays are so memorable....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanne. HTUTS was proud to have your participation as well.
Deletethis video was excellent.
ReplyDeleteevery performance that I saw, was truly enjoyable and memorable.
thank you.
take care,
e
Thanks much and thanks for always attending.
DeleteThanks so much for sending me that wonderful
ReplyDeletevideo of Hamburg's four summers. My summer of
2013 was made very special being part of your
organization...I had such a good time and I was
surrounded by such talented people.......
Norm
And thank you Norm for adding your considerable talents to our production.
DeleteHey Tony,
ReplyDeletei wish that there was something i could do to help you. would a smaller show with less
cast be an option? i would love to act in one of your shows and/or even help backstage. my fees are very low - free. My husband and i could also donate a small amount of money to the production. maybe other actors/crew be also willing to donate small amounts. i really have no idea how much it costs for a production.
Just some thoughts.
Judy Clark
Thanks, Judy. The issue is getting major local financial support. The audiences and creative community is and has always been generous. HTUTS attracts thousands to Hamburg every Labor Day weekend. Yet, the business and government community takes us for granted not offering 1 cent to an established group that attracts money to their town. HTUTS cannot exist without major support of this nature. We’re hoping this will change. I’m working on it. When we resurface, I will contact you. I welcome your participation. Thank you so much. – tony
Delete
ReplyDeleteDear Tony,
This was fantastic!
Thank you for the wonderful memories
All my best always!
Sincerely,
Chris
Thank you, Chris. Nice to hear from you.
DeleteThank you for the wonderful plays you and your crew brought to the Village - we and many others looked forward to the play every Labor Day Weekend - we will miss it this year, but look forward to it coming back.
ReplyDeleteRandy and Denise Fenton
Thank you both very much for those sentiments. Hopefully, we will reappear nest year
DeleteDear Mr. Baksa,
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are retired educators who reside in the "northtowns area" of North Cheektowaga bordering Williamsville. We first attended an HTUTS play with "The Bad Seed" in 2011, enjoyed it so much, we returned for "You Can't Take It With You" last summer and thoroughly enjoyed that as well. It was our regret that we did not know about the previous two and thus missed those performances, especially William Inge's "Picnic" since we especially like the film version.
We found ourselves recently thinking about HTUTS once the weather felt summery and wondered what the offering might be this year. When we went to check for some info online, we were very much saddened and in disbelief to discover that there would be no HTUTS this year. It will certainly leave a void in the enjoyment of summer 2013.
I read that you believe in keeping this type of community theater in a free status, much like the Delaware Park's Shakespeare in the Park, and that it shouldn't be a burden upon the fans to financially support this noble cause beyond the contributions collected from passing the hat around. Our sentiments are the same. So much of performance art, music and theater is growing beyond the average person's budget that mostly only wealthy patrons can afford a night at Sheas or Toronto theaters, or, for that matter, an IMAX. But the arts should be available for the enjoyment (and edification) of all. That is why it is so very nice to have community orchestra concerts, free film showings at senior centers, outdoor park art festivals and, of course, HTUTS.
It's especially sad, and troubling, to learn that HTUTS' fund-raising effort through approaching the many businesses and commercial enterprises amounted to such a disappointing minimum. As you stated, these are the very businesses that benefited from the extra numbers patronizing these establishments during Labor Day weekend. Perhaps they did not see enough profit within that narrow window to offset whatever contributions would be considered worthwhile. The easy blame game is just to say, "It's the economy". Still, like much in the way of the arts, the reliance upon corporate sponsorship is very real and very necessary. Is society to be nothing more than a market place hawking wares or can we hope for some measure of elevated grace through the arts to celebrate our intellect and spirit?
Having seen the last two HTUTS productions, it was very clear to us what a tremendous coordination of loving volunteerism took place. The success of these shows were a testament to the passion and dedication of the many people who shared in this vision.
We hope that Hamburg (town government, chamber of commerce, financial district and businesses) will eventually realize what will be missing from the fabric of its town and will find a way to mend this hole. We wish you and HTUTS well in this continuing effort and that 2014 will be better.
-- Rick and Bonnie
Dear Mr. Baksa,
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are retired educators who reside in the "northtowns area" of North Cheektowaga bordering Williamsville. We first attended an HTUTS play with "The Bad Seed" in 2011, enjoyed it so much, we returned for "You Can't Take It With You" last summer and thoroughly enjoyed that as well. It was our regret that we did not know about the previous two and thus missed those performances, especially William Inge's "Picnic" since we especially like the film version.
We found ourselves recently thinking about HTUTS once the weather felt summery and wondered what the offering might be this year. When we went to check for some info online, we were very much saddened and in disbelief to discover that there would be no HTUTS this year. It will certainly leave a void in the enjoyment of summer 2013.
I read that you believe in keeping this type of community theater in a free status, much like the Delaware Park's Shakespeare in the Park, and that it shouldn't be a burden upon the fans to financially support this noble cause beyond the contributions collected from passing the hat around. Our sentiments are the same. So much of performance art, music and theater is growing beyond the average person's budget that mostly only wealthy patrons can afford a night at Sheas or Toronto theaters, or, for that matter, an IMAX. But the arts should be available for the enjoyment (and edification) of all. That is why it is so very nice to have community orchestra concerts, free film showings at senior centers, outdoor park art festivals and, of course, HTUTS.
It's especially sad, and troubling, to learn that HTUTS' fund-raising effort through approaching the many businesses and commercial enterprises amounted to such a disappointing minimum. As you stated, these are the very businesses that benefited from the extra numbers patronizing these establishments during Labor Day weekend. Perhaps they did not see enough profit within that narrow window to offset whatever contributions would be considered worthwhile. The easy blame game is just to say, "It's the economy". Still, like much in the way of the arts, the reliance upon corporate sponsorship is very real and very necessary. Is society to be nothing more than a market place hawking wares or can we hope for some measure of elevated grace through the arts to celebrate our intellect and spirit?
Having seen the last two HTUTS productions, it was very clear to us what a tremendous coordination of loving volunteerism took place. The success of these shows were a testament to the passion and dedication of the many people who shared in this vision.
We hope that Hamburg (town government, chamber of commerce, financial district and businesses) will eventually realize what will be missing from the fabric of its town and will find a way to mend this hole. We wish you and HTUTS well in this continuing effort and that 2014 will be better.
-- Rick and Bonnie
Dear Mr. Zotara – Thank you so much for your eloquent email. You are truly a kindred spirit. I will continue to work on getting HTUTS sponsorship and will certainly keep you in the loop.
DeleteFabulous Tony!!! I can't believe it's not happening this summer!!
ReplyDeleteJoanne May
Thanks, Joanne – I hope to return next summer.
DeleteSpeechless, teary-eyed, sad, awesome memories, wonderful people... all sorts of emotions were brought on by Journey of Four Summers. Regret for not even knowing about the first two. Thankful for being so involved in the third and honored to help with fundraising the 4th year. Regretful about this year but ever so hopeful that some year soon we will all reunite for another amazing production, some way, some how with much determination! Tony you have touched my soul and have a very special place in my heart. Take care! Hopefully we will see your around Hamburg! Kim St. George
ReplyDeleteKim, I so appreciate your comment. There is something very unique and special about sharing in the theater experience. It is always a life changing experience. I will be working for the next year on trying to secure substantial funding. We shall see if Hamburg really wants HTUTS.I know the people do. Its the other "elements" that are the problem. See you soon. When we return from NYC I'll call you to arrange a get together.
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